4 Maccabees 15:25-27

Revised Standard Version

²⁵ For as in the council chamber of her own soul she saw mighty advocates —nature, family, parental love, and the rackings of her children— ²⁶ this mother held two ballots, one bearing death and the other deliverance for her children. ²⁷ She did not approve the deliverance which would preserve the seven sons for a short time,